It’s more or less certain that India will play Bangladesh in the World Cup quarterfinals. By winning all the matches in the league stage, New Zealand are the top team in Pool A. Realistically, the top two teams should be playing the final of this World Cup.
And, that is an India-New Zealand World Cup final on March 29. However, no one actually knows what is in store when the real action begins from next week. Before the World Cup began, no one really thought about England losing their way and Bangladesh taking giant steps in world cricket.
Before the Wold Cup began, not many were pinning their hopes on India topping the points’ table in Pool B, especially, after a dismal Australian tour. But it all happened. And before you would know, there could more surprises in days to come.
The unpredictable nature of the game was again at display during the Kiwi-Bangladesh match. It was yet another classic case how a cricket match can oscillate from one and to the other and can throw up new challenges to established teams.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field, but Bangladesh made strong statements with bat. Spearheaded by Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar’s find partnership, their team could post a very commanding total against the home.
Later, Bangladesh got a shot in the arm when New Zealand lost their two early wickets. It was Kiwi opener Martin Guptill who played a stellar knock to bail his team out. Towards the end, the match could have gone either way.
But the middle-lower order ensured a three-wicket win for New Zealand. In the end, it wasn’t an easy game for the hosts. They really hard to work hard on the field to make this win possible while Bangladesh came pretty close to making another history in this World Cup.
Now that the former whipping boys are ready for their next stage in weeks’ time, all eyes will be on how they gel as a unit against India, the defending world champions.
